Vape shop owner attacks Budget's new duty and relief removal

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 17:40 · Archive

A Colchester vape shop owner says new Budget measures unfairly target independent retailers.

A Colchester vape shop owner has criticised the latest UK Budget, saying independent retailers in the industry have been 'unfairly treated'. The owner, who asked not to be named, has run an independent shop in the Colchester area for six years.

The Budget introduced a flat-rate tax of 22p per millilitre on vaping liquid, adding £2.20 to the cost of a standard 10ml bottle. From April 2027, vape shops will also lose business rates relief. The owner said: 'Little independents won't be able to find that extra £1,000 a year.'

The owner contrasted the impact on vape shops with tax rises affecting gambling, where Machine Games Duty on higher stakes machines is increasing from 20 per cent to 25 per cent. They noted that a betting shop they worked in once took about £14,000 in one day, whereas independent vape shops are sole traders, not franchises, with far smaller margins.

The owner argues vaping serves a public health purpose. They said: 'I've helped over 100 people quit smoking. For the individuals who want to use vaping as a tool to quit smoking, it works.' They added that vape shops reduce the harm caused by smoking and contribute to their communities.

Vape shop owner attacks Budget's new duty and relief removal — Image: Colchester Gazette

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How it is being reported

'We’ve been unfairly treated' - independent vape business weighs in on UK BudgetColchester vape shop owner says UK Budget unfairly targets independents as 22p-per-ml vaping duty and loss of business rates relief threaten businesses.Colchester Gazette · 29 Oct, 17:00
'We’ve been unfairly treated' - independent vape business weighs in on UK BudgetColchester vape shop owner says UK Budget unfairly targets independents as 22p-per-ml vaping duty and loss of business rates relief threaten businesses.Echo (Basildon) · 29 Oct, 17:00

In this story: Colchester · UK

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